Page 62 of Keepsakes and Kismet

I giggle, completely overjoyed that my best friend is finally here. “Where’s your husband?”

She cringes, her light brown complexion looking a bit pale. “Well…”

“Shit. You took Main Street on the way here, didn’t you? I told you, don’t take Main. Francesco’s Pizzeria has that big Italian flag hanging out front, and it’s not authentically Italian. It’s a laundromat that sells frozen pizza from the Toledo Costco. I knew Giovanni would see it and have angry questions.”

“No, we didn’t take Main, per your instructions.” She laughs. “He’s just wrapping up at the High Striker game with Daniel and Grace. The one where you hit the hammer, and it tests your strength.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Gio hit it all the way to the top on the first try, and Daniel… didn’t. Then Grace made a joke about her husband being a former athlete⁠—”

“Big mistake,” I chime in. Daniel Thompson still holds most current wide receiver records in the League.

Tessa nods. “Huge. Now Grace and Gio are being held captive until Daniel hits the bell. I figured I’d meet Callum in the meantime.”

Callum. I was so wrapped up in seeing Tessa again, I almost forgot that he existed. I turn and find him standing behind me.

He steps to my side, and the back of our hands brush. I glance down, wondering if he’ll take mine in his. Callum’s hand flexes, like he’s trying to repress an urge to touch my skin. Excitement and anticipation spark in my stomach as his fingers hover for another moment, outstretched. Then, he carefully slides them between mine. My pulse kicks up a beat, as if he’s holding the keys to my heart instead of my hand.

Callum holds out his free hand to Tessa. “Hi, it’s really nice to meet you. And, for what it’s worth, I’d like to echo Peyton regarding Francesco’s. They received several violations during my last inspection, and one of them was for having an open bottle of fabric softener near the salad dressing.”

A slow smile spreads across Tessa’s face. “Got it. I am mentally crossing off Francesco’s on my imaginary list of places I never intended to go in the first place.” She adjusts the bangles on her wrist. “And it’s nice to meet you too, Callum. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All painfully average things, I’m sure,” Callum jokes.

“You’re funny,” Tessa says, looking impressed.

Callum shrugs. “Peyton’s funnier.”

Her lips part. “Oh my God, you can stay.”

The freckles scattered across Callum’s cheeks crinkle at her declaration, and I gently rub my thumb against his. He squeezes my hand in return.

Tessa refastens the belt of her coat tighter around her waist. “So, I love it here. Everything is so quaint and picturesque. Grace already helped a duck family cross the road. The mom had six little babies. So many fucking adorable woodland creatures… Have you tried summoning them with a song?” She sniffs the air. “The wind smells like apples and cloves. I feel like I could carry things in a basket and walk barefoot through the forest and no one would question it.”

“Different from New York, huh?” Callum asks.

Tessa snorts. “Eh, not really. We have street rats and the smell of hot garbage, but it’s still magical in its own way.” She gestures at the gazebo in the town square. “Anyway, I can see why you love Waterton.”

I take a moment to really appreciate my surroundings. A group of laughing kids carrying candy-dipped apples pass us, and when I take a deep breath in, the air really does smell like cider. Callum’s hand encompasses mine perfectly.

“I wouldn’t change being here for anything,” I tell her.

A gentle puff of air warms the top of my head before Callum presses his lips against my hair—a chaste peck. Like he’s pleased with me for expressing my love for Waterton out loud. I need to tell him more often. I do love it here, and I have no plans to leave.

Tessa stares at Callum and me with genuine approval. Are her eyes misty?

I spot Giovanni walking our way and give him a small wave. He rarely dresses American-casual, and today is no different. His button-down shirt peeks through the structured wool coat he’s wearing as he wraps his arms around Tessa’s waist from behind and gives her a kiss on the neck.

“There you are!” Tessa turns her head to kiss him on the cheek, brushing a light brown curl out of her husband’s eye.

Giovanni’s voice lowers, his Italian accent thicker than I remember. “Don’t ever talk about the strength test again, Tessa. I’m begging you. Not in front of your brother.”

She smirks. “How many tries did it take him?”

Giovanni winces. “Five. Please don’t bring it up.”

“I won’t, I won’t,” Tessa reassures him.